WHITE, Sylvester - Putnam

Source: Journal and Courier Lafayette 25 Jan 1928 p 1

Three lives were lost  in a grade crossing accident one mile east of Dayton Tuesday night, a westbound freight train on the Nickel Plate railroad crashing into  a Ford coupe in which the victims of the collision were riding. John Sipes, 58, a Sheffield township farmer; Mrs. Rose Sipes, 52, his wife, and Sylvester F. White, 60, a Russellville, Ind timber buyer were all of them instantly killed. The fatal accident occurred at road crossing 49, only three fourths of a mile from the Sipes home. Sipes’ watch had stopped at 9:12 o’clock which was evidently the exact time of the catastrophe. The train was first 63 , manifest freight and was in charge of Conductor Arthur Coy and Engineer Biert. The impact complete demolished the automobile and its human cargo was scattered along the right of way for 50’.  Sipes was pinned under the auto, which was thrown about 20’ west of the crossing.  The body of Mrs. Sipe was about 20’ further west and that of White was 50’ from the crossing. The train was stopped as soon as possible and members of the crew went to the aid of the occupants of the automobile, but found that all were dead. Dr. Earl Van Reed, deputy coroner, ordered the bodies removed to the Baker Funeral Home at Dayton. He made a complete examination of the bodies there.  It was found that all had received fractured skulls.  Both of White’s legs were broken and chest was crushed.  Mrs. Sipes’ left leg was fractured about the knee and the pelvic bones were crushed. Sipes’ left leg was fractured about the knee. That occupants of the ill fated automobile had been to Lafayette is the general opinion of their friends. White, who was a timber buyer had been staying at the Sipe’s home, which is on the SH Arms’ farm. He employed Sipes to haul logs for him and they were very close friends. At the point where the accident occurred, the occupants of the automobile have a clear view of the railroad tracks, and it is believed that the brakes on the automobile froze, preventing White, who was driving from stopping the car. The rain Tuesday had turned to snow and then the weather got very cold. It is thought the water in the brakes froze, preventing them from functioning when White attempted to use them.  There is a slight include down grade to the railroad crossing, and the automobile rolled on to the tracks. Sipes had been a resident of Sheffield Township for many years and stood high in the community. He was born Jan 1, 1870. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife attended the Methodist Church at Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Sipes are survived by two daughters, Mrs. Elwood Staley of Dayton and Mrs. Emerson Bausman of Greencastle. Mrs. Sipes, who was born April 4, 1875, is survived also by a sister, Mrs. Jessie Latcho of Rossville and a brother, George Cripe of Frankfort. Mr. Sipes’ surviving relatives besides his children, are two rothers, William Sipes, of Sedalia and George Sipes, of Frankfort and three sisters, Mrs. Martin Combs, Mrs. Ed James and Mrs. Daisy Jackson, all residing near Danville, Ind.  Mr. White resided with is son, Ernest White near Waveland. He was born in Parke County, December 27, 867.  His wife died about three years ago. Besides the son, Ernest, another son and three daughters survive: Mrs. Grace Harbison of Russellville; Roscoe White of Hillsboro; Mrs. Madge Skelton of Decatur, Ill and Mrs. Blanche Long of Crawfordsville.  Ernest and Roscoe White, sons, arrived in Dayton Wednesday and arranged to have the body of their father taken to the home of Ernest White in Waveland, Wednesday afternoon. Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Sipes will  be conducted from the Methodist Church (Dayton) at 1 o’clock Friday afternoon. Rev. Paul Reisen will officiate. Burial will be in the Dayton cemetery. - kbz